Really the rules for riding a bike are mostly the same as for a car, but with a few differences.
Obey all traffic laws, stopping at stop signs and lights, yielding, obeying no left turns, only turning from designated turn lanes. And yes, obeying the speed limit. I've actually been close to breaking it, even on major streets, so it really is something you have to watch if you get on a good hill and start flying. lol I'm fuzzy on the rules about minimum speed limits since there isn't much clarity on that issue, but honestly if you're being passed by cars then you should move over or take to the sidewalks if you're going real slow. Otherwise if there's a bike lane, or if there's enough room on the street, you can crawl along as slow as you want. And do not ride the wrong way down a one way street or even riding the wrong way in the bike lane.
Bikes in Austin are supposed to have two lights (front and back). I have three.
Ride in the bike lane when there is one except for when passing - I'm not slow, so I really do have to pass other bikes sometimes. And of course there are the parked vehicles you need to get around. And you're not supposed to ride on the sidewalk since it's dangerous for pedestrians. And really, it's no fun riding on the sidewalk. They're narrow and uneven and sometimes have poles in the middle of them that make them dangerous to navigate, plus the odd tree branch that is too low. I sprained my ankle one night walking home from my brother's house because one of the manhole covers was raised about 3 inches above the rest of the sidewalk. It was dark and I had a stiff beer buzz going, and I totally caught my foot and went down. haha Anyway, I was walking, but hitting that on your bike would probably send you over the handlebars depending on how fast you were going, plus it would damage your rim.
It's illegal to ride a bike drunk or under the influence of anything else, though, I think technically it's a public intoxication charge since it's technically not a motor vehicle.
No riding a bike while on your cell phone. I can't believe that one even needs to be said. lol
I honestly think people forget sometimes. They hop on a bike and ride in the street to get somewhere simply because there's no place else to use to get to where they're going, and some forget that when they're riding in the street they need to get into the mindset of obeying the laws and treating the situation no differently than they would if they were driving a car. That's what I do. You also have to watch like a hawk. I am always scanning ahead of me to keep watch. I'm looking at taillights, blinkers, wheels, doors, faces and looking for other bicycles, people and the odd stray dog or cat even. And I look over my shoulder periodically to know if there are any cars behind me even if I'm not in the middle of the street or about to turn/change lanes.
One thing, though, I do not believe in using hand signals. I'm not even sure if Austin has a law about it, and honestly I can't remember the last time I saw someone do that on a bike, not even bike cops in downtown. I just don't like the idea of taking my hands off the handlebar while I'm turning or stopping. It's one thing to ride with one hand or switch hands when you're going straight, but you really should have both hands on the handlebar when you're turning or stopping. Besides, if you're stopping while at speed you'll probably need both your front and back brakes anyway.
Anyway, this is my trusty old Raleigh. I have a headlight up there also, plus my taillight, and this other light that I found at Walmart that does a good job of lighting up my bike and the pavement around me.
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